Legal Question in Real Estate Law in District of Columbia
Illegal Rental Unit
I found out I have been renting an illegal basement apartment in Washington DC. I researched the city housing coed and, under it's terms, deem the apartment illegal because of no separate mail/utility meter, insufficient lighting, insufficient fire exits and the gas meter was in the converted bedroom. The landlord who lived in the house (part of a duplex) above also does not have a business license as he is required to have in DC. My question is if the apartment is illegal, does that make the lease void?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Illegal Rental Unit
No, rather than the lease being void, it more likely means that the unit is simply not up to code(which might afford you some defenses or leverage in any future disputes that you may have with the landlord).
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